Crate.



PATENT-ED APR. 16, 1907.5

N. J. MoLEOD.,

CRATE. APPLIIUATION FILE; mn. 5,1968.

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. No. 850,537.k

Y l .PATBNTB-D APR. 1a, 190,7. N. J; MULBOD.

CRATE.

' APPLIUATION FILED ma. 5, 190s.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

NORMAN J. MOLEOD, OF ROCK ISLAND, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOHEZAKIAI-I S. LUNDY, OF ROCK ISLAND, TEXAS.

CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 16, 1907.

Application meantime, 190e. seriainasoazio.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN J. McLEoD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rock Island, in the county of Colorado and State of Texas,have invented new and useful Improvements in Crates, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention is a crate, and more particularly one which can beknocked down or folded into a small and compact form for convenience inshipping.

The object of the invention is to provide a crate of this kind embodyingcertain novel features of construction hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of thecrate set up. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the crate folded.Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionalview, of the crate in set-up position. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section,and Fig. 6 is a transverse section, of the crate in folded position.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 1() denotes the bottom of thecrate. Secured to the four edges of the bottom are ledges 1 1 and 12,the ledges 11 being at the ends and the ledges 12 at the sides. Thelower ends ofthe end walls 13 of the crate extend behind the ledges 11and have projecting pins 14, which extend into holes in the ledges 12,whereby said end walls are pivoted to the ledges 12. The side walls 15of the crate are hinged, as at 16, to the ledges 12. The top of thecrate is indicated as at 17.

The end walls of the crate comprise top and bottom bars or slats 18 and19, respectively, and end bars 20, to which a wire fabric is secured.These bars are doubled, and the Wire fabric extends therebetween. Theside walls and top of the crate are similarly constructed.

For holding the crate in set-up position angular metal straps 21 areprovided. These are fastened to each end of the side walls near the topand bottom thereof. The straps extend over the corners of the crate andthe bars of the end walls, as at 22. The parts 22 of the straps areformed with hooks 23, which engage the inner edges of the bars 20. Thehooks 23 of the top straps also engage the bottom edges of the top bars13 of the end walls, so that when the crate is lifted by its sides theweight will be taken off the hinges 16. ners of the crate, as shown,they are also made to serve as stays for strengthening the same.

The top 17 of the crate fits between the side and end walls, beingsupported on seats 24 thereon. Hooks 25 are secured to the end walls,under which the top extends when it is in position on the crate, wherebyit isV securely held in place. The topiis in two sections, which arehinged together, as at 26. Upon placing the ends of the top under thehooks 25 and pressing down to straighten out the top it will be jammedtightly against the end walls. When the top is in position, the side andend walls are secured against collapsing inwardly, and the corner-stays21 effectively prevent outward collapse thereof.

Additional means for holding the parts together comprisingoppositely-extending clamping-bars 27 and 2S, having their outer endsformed with hooks -29 and pivotally connected at their inner ends to alever 30. In use the clamp is placed on top of the crate, with the hooksengaging recesses 31 in the top bars 32 of the side walls. The lever isthen swung around to draw the clampingbars inwardly,vwhereby the wallsof the crate will be tightly clamped together. The outer end of thelever is notched, as at 33, to engage one of the clamping-bars, wherebyitis locked. The clamp herein described can be used when the crate is inset-up or knockdown position. In the latter position the clamping-barsengage the ledges 12.

To knock down the crate, the end walls are folded inwardly upon thebottom of the crate and the side walls are folded inwardly over the endwalls. The height of the ledges 12 is such that when the side and endwalls are folded as stated there will be sufficient space between saidparts to receive the top of the crate. After the parts are folded asstated the clamping-bars are applied, which secures the crate inknockdown position. The ledges 11 have hand-holes 34. v

I claim- 1. In a crate, the combination with folding side and end Walls,hooks on o posite walls, and a sectional top with a togg e-joint betweenthe sections for extending the free ends thereof under the aforesaidhooks.

By extending the straps 21 over the cora IOO IOS

2. In a crate, the combination With folding side and end Walls, said endWalls having top, bottom and end bars, of hooks extending from the endsof the side Walls and over end 5 bars and engaging the bottom of the topbars of the end Walls.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

NORMAN J. MCLEOD.

Witnesses:

L. O. LUNDY, D. C. LUNDY.

